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Author
Topic: Supplements with Meds? (Read 15051 times)

I am starting Atripla this weekend and am wondering about what I should do about the vitamins I take? I take a multivitamin and B-12 every morning, and one D at night. Should I keep taking these with the Atripla? Also, pretty happy about my weight gain over the past year (when not on any meds) I jumped from like 128 to 140!!!! I chose Atripla because it seems to be the least associated with wasting. Just would like your guys' thoughts on these things, thanks!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

1) I wouldn't expect your doctor to tell you much about supplements - that's not their expertise. For this you would have to do your own homework.

I agree with the above, with two small caveats. First, your doctor certainly could tell you what not to take if there are any negative interactions between some supplement and your meds; secondly, he could tell you if you needed anything: if, for example, a deficiency in Vitamin D were to show up in your regular labs. Other than that Boze is correct; whether alpha lipoic acid or fish oil is something worth taking or not might be a question on which your doctor has something valuable to contribute but I wouldn't expect it.

I would strongly suggest that you speak with your doctor. I have always taken multi viatimins since i was a kid and have been very consistent. I did ask and he requested that i take vitamin D and fish oil.. But the best way to get your needs is by eating a well balanced healthy meal.

I decided to take them every other day - so I take half on Mon/Wed/Fri and the other half on Tue/Thur/Sat. Except Omega-3 and Now Adam Multivatamin which I take every day.

If you want more details let me know.

I will have to respectfully disagree with Boze here. A good infectious disease doctor will also know the relevant information about supplements relating to HIV/AIDS. Mine sure does. He knows what supps will interact with meds as well as what supplements are shown to have a positive effect on the health of people with our condition and which are just touted as such for companies to make a profit, but have no proof.

According to my doctor, who has reviewed the relevant literature in the field and is quite an expert in the area, the only supplements shown to actually have a positive impact for poz folk are a multivitamin, fish oil, and selenium. That's it. All of the rest, CoQ10, N-acetyl cystein, etc. are just a bunch of speculatory unproven profiteering. No hard evidence.

I guess my point is, only take what is proven to work, and always check your meds/supplements with your doctor and/or your pharmacist. Hope this helps!

Sorry, it came up near the top, I read the posts and responded. Should of checked the dates on some of the earlier posts. But please point the angry finger at the person who dug it up from the grave in the first place, lol. I honestly had no clue how old it was!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Where did he go. It looks like he logged in a few weeks ago. I am confused now. You are saying he is no longer here and long gone, did he tell you someting? I hope he is okay I was following his progress.

Where did he go. It looks like he logged in a few weeks ago. I am confused now. You are saying he is no longer here and long gone, did he tell you someting? I hope he is okay I was following his progress.

Sorry for lack of update - I occasionally check in but haven't posted in a long time. Randomly was browsing the forums and saw this, decided to pipe up. Just have been busy with a few other things.

Knock on wood I'm fine, have been on Atripla for about 14 months now after having started treatment early. Hope it (health status) stays boring, wish you all the same